Agoraphobia

Literally, "fear of the marketplace". Agoraphobia is an unwanted, often paralyzing fear of being in any public place in which people feel it will be difficult to escape from or receive the help they might need in case they have a panic attack. Persons with agoraphobia almost always have panic attacks that preceded and contributed to their agoraphobia. Once they have had intense anxiety feelings or a panic attack in a particular place they then associate that place with panic andanxiety which leads to avoidance. Over time they generalize more and more places with fear responses. In severe cases, persons with agoraphobia are unable/willing to leave their homes without the aid of a 'safe' person. The treatment of choice is exposure with response prevention; so they also need to learn relaxation techniques as well as cognitive techniques. Highly efficacious Cognitive Behavioral therapy for agoraphobia (based on the pioneering work of David Barlow, Ph.D.) is widely available these days within the Clinical Psychology community.

Anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or situationally predisposed Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms. Agoraphobic fears typically involve characteristic clusters of situations that include being outside the home alone; being in a crowd or standing in a line; being on a bridge; and traveling in a bus, train, or automobile.

The situations are avoided (e.g., travel is restricted) or else are endured with marked distress or with anxiety about having a Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms, or require the presence of a companion.